Dallas Housing Coalition’s ‘Lege Tracker’ Monitors Bills That Will Affect New Home Construction, Property Taxes
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Real estate reporters are constantly asking state legislators what bills we should be keeping an eye on and what’s happening with things like low-income housing tax credits, accessory dwelling units, and, of course, property taxes. But the Dallas Housing Coalition just rolled out a “lege tracker” webpage that’s going to make our jobs a little bit easier.
“This page will serve as your go-to resource for following and weighing in on key housing-related bills as they move through the Texas House and Senate during the regular 89th Texas Legislative Session through May,” DHC officials said in an announcement about the lege tracker on LinkedIn.
The Dallas Housing Coalition is a grassroots volunteer group of more than 245 non- and for-profit organizations and individuals “committed to advocating for the creation and preservation of attainable housing in the city of Dallas for all,” according to its website. The DHC, led by organizer Bryan Tony and a board of directors, is generally viewed as the YIMBYest of the YIMBYs, desiring more housing of all types, although they take a measured approach to development that “makes sense” and is compatible with its surroundings.
“Our coalition consists of housing developers, policy experts, and other organizations who are all united in our cause,” the DHC website reads. “We serve and advocate on behalf of the housing needs of Dallas’ diverse populations, including youth, teens, seniors, longtime residents, persons with disabilities, people without housing, veterans, working professionals, and growing families.”
The DHC generally supports legislation related to attainable housing production and preservation, equitable land use and zoning policies, and tenant protections and rights.
Bills the DHC is Tracking
Here are a few of the bills that can be found on the lege tracker:
- Senate Bill 673 — Legalizing accessory dwelling units statewide (Sen. Bryan Hughes)
- Senate Bill 208 — Workforce housing revolving loan fund for single-family, affordable housing (Sen. Royce West)
- Senate Bill 210 — Expedited permitting for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits in larger cities (Sen. Royce West)
- Senate Bill 583 — Requires cities to publicly announce city-owned land available for workforce housing development (Sen. Royce West)
In addition to the above bills that DHC is supporting, the website also lists some that the organization is monitoring or opposes. For example, the Coalition is monitoring Rep. Cody Vasut’s House Bill 165, which would eliminate property taxes and require a study of alternative methods of taxation. They’re opposed to Rep. Valoree Swanson’s House Bill 293, which would give state representatives veto power to stop approved Low-Income Housing Tax Credits projects from being built in their districts.
The tracker site links to precise bill language and notes whether legislation has been filed and when it is assigned to a committee.
